Mettie Sheetz, a long-time member of the Washington Square United Methodist Church in West Hagerstown, recently shared some wonderful stories about the history of the Washington County Hospital and her time working there. Mettie's hospital employment began in 1959. She worked as a nurse's aide until her retirement in 1982. Mettie was trained by a wonderful nurse named Virginia Fiery, who in her words “was an angel.” The hospital gave employees their uniform and hers was a starched yellow dress with a white apron, hosiery and white shoes.

City Hospital's Nurse Work Life Council named Diane Turner as the recipient of the DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses for the fourth quarter of 2011. Turner, a nurse on the second-flood oncology unit at City Hospital, was presented the award during a recent ceremony at the hospital. She received a certificate, along with a sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. The DAISY, or Diseases Attacking the Immune System, Award, was established nationally to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses at WVUH-East's City Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital are being honored throughout the year with the award.

Cheryl Deaner, RN, was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for October. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the Quality Service Award. Deaner, a registered nurse in the outpatient chemotherapy and vascular therapy department, was nominated by one of her co-workers, who stated, “Cheryl helped with patient education on Hickman cath care. Not only did she put the patient at ease, but she noticed the patient's arm was red and swollen.

City Hospital's Nurse Work Life Council named Barbara Brooks, a registered nurse from the observation unit at the hospital, as the recipient of the DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses for the second quarter of 2011. The award was presented to Brooks during a recent ceremony at the hospital. She received a certificate, along with a sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. The DAISY, or Diseases Attacking the Immune System, Award was established nationally to recognize the super-human efforts nurses make every day. Nurses at WVUH-East's City Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital are being honored throughout the year with the award.

Terri Shiffler, RN, was named City Hospital's Quality Service Award winner for December. Each month, the hospital's Service Award Committee selects an employee to receive the award. Shiffler, a nurse on the sixth-floor telemetry unit, was nominated by one of her co-workers, who stated, “Terry is one of the best at cardiac care. She recently worked with me to care for a patient experiencing cardiac issues on the fifth-floor medical/surgical unit. Patient safety is clearly her top priority, and she treats all co-workers as a member of the team.” Criteria for selection as a Quality Service Award recipient includes demonstrating a consistently high level of productivity and quality of work, along with a high degree of initiative in performing work responsibilities; displaying exceptional dependability; exhibiting effective relationships with others; displaying a commitment to service and serving the City Hospital community; and meeting the criteria for the WVUH-East mission, vision and values.

Name of business: Stepping Stone Health Owner: Lori Schellenberg Opening date: April 6, 2012 Products and services: Nursing case management services/nutritional health coaching, providing individualized tools and support for rapid and permanent weight loss, including several programs offering services to achieve weight loss of up to 30 pounds in 30 days. We also offer ancillary services to include initial and ongoing nutritional and health assessments, personalized nurse case-management support and health/nutrition coaching, nutrition and cooking classes, exercise programs and community support groups.

Nurse Tammy Arnold at NMS HealthCare on Marsh Pike in Hagerstown was honored May 13 by Hospice of Washington County for her excellence in caring for the NMS residents and their families. Her role is unique in the nursing homes in this county as she educates, identifies needs, and oversees introducing patients and families to the benefits of hospice care. In this way, she provides a consistent management of pain and symptoms for each resident...

Nurse pleads to pill theft By MARLO BARNHART / Staff Writer Washington County District Judge Noel Spence ordered a pre-sentence investigation into the background of a registered nurse Thursday after the woman pleaded guilty to stealing seven narcotic painkiller tablets meant for patients. Barbara Jean Tingle had 30 years of experience in the birthing center at Washington County Hospital when she was charged with misdemeanor theft and prescription fraud on April 18. "I'm interested in knowing about possible addiction ... I want a full picture," Spence said.

In 2009, I wrote a column titled “Should we be afraid of the dark?” It was a story about a doctor's dilemma in keeping patients alive, after the quality of life is gone, only for them to suffer more. A few days after I wrote this column, I received a call one morning from a Frances Cruger, who told me she enjoyed my column and shared a story with me of how her daughter, Leslie, had suffered with breast cancer for three years and had died in 2003. It was a story of a mother's deep love for her daughter.

The Franklin County (Pa.) Commissioners will tour nursing homes operated by Transitions Healthcare LLC and Mid-Atlantic Health Care Acquisitions LLC as they decide whether to accept one of the firm's proposals to buy Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. On Tuesday, the three commissioners chose the two companies as finalists from 10 proposals submitted to buy the county-owned skilled nursing center on Franklin Farm Lane. Officials said the sale price is expected to be between $10 million and $11.6 million.

Graduation for the students of the August class of Franklin County Career and Technology Center's practical nursing program was held Aug. 8 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Chambersburg. It was the 109th graduating class of the nursing program, which has served the citizens of the area for more than 54 years. Welcoming comments were given by Keith Yohn, administrative director of Career Tech. The graduation address was given by Dr. Paul Orange, who challenged the graduates to make full use of their senses - light, hearing and smell - to better understand a patient.

The Franklin County (Pa.) Commissioners on Thursday announced their finalists from 10 proposals submitted by private skilled nursing providers looking to buy the county-owned Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Four firms made the short list, including Complete HealthCare Resources Inc., of Dresher, Pa.; Mid-Atlantic Health Care Acquisitions LLC, of Timonium, Md.; Nationwide Health Services LLC, of Brick, N.J.; and Transitions Healthcare LLC, of Sykesville, Md. All four finalists operate skilled nursing facilities in Pennsylvania, according to a news release.

The Washington Redskins had another practice washed out by rain Saturday. Coach Mike Shanahan didn't mind at all. “I'll be honest with you, I think the guy upstairs kind of took care of me today, because I wasn't really sure about practicing,” Shanahan said. “I felt we were a little sore as a football team. We needed a little bit more rest.” The Redskins have their share of bumps and bruises following Thursday's win over the Tennessee Titans in the preseason opener. Near the top of the list is rookie safety Phillip Thomas, who sprained his left foot in the game. Shanahan said doctors have ruled out a fracture or more serious injury for the fourth-round pick from Fresno State.

The family of the late Kristin Runyon and Chambersburg Hospital have chosen Laura Harmon of Shippensburg, Pa., as the third recipient of the Kristin Runyon Memorial Scholarship. Harmon is a nursing student at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa. She plans to graduate in May 2015 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Harmon carries a grade-point average of 3.53 and is involved in many academic and community activities. While majoring in nursing, Harmon is minoring in fine arts and American sign language.

On July 14, two nursing scholarships worth $500 each were given to Elisabeth Sharpe of Hagerstown and April Gearhart of Thurmont, Md. Sharpe is enrolled in the nursing program at Hagerstown Community College. Gearhart attends Frederick (Md.) Community College. Both women are working in area hospitals. Presenting the checks were Almost Saddest Sad Sack Mike Mahoney and AMVETS Department Commander Harold Karn. Sad Sacks is the honor group of AMVETS.

At least 12 groups are considering submitting proposals to buy the Franklin County-owned Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, county officials said Thursday. County officials have distributed packets to a dozen skilled nursing providers seeking information about the possible sale of the nursing home, according to Franklin County Commissioner David Keller. “At least two vendors have been in to tour the facility, and I believe a couple other tours are in the works,” Keller said Thursday.

Two nurses will be added for this school year to the health-services program Meritus Medical Center Inc. provides to Washington County Public Schools, a Meritus Health official said Tuesday. The Washington County Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a one-year contract for Meritus Medical Center Inc. to continue to provide student health services beginning next month. The cost of the program is not to exceed $2,793,785, according to a copy of the agreement. Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox said there is every indication the program will come in under budget while providing more services during the coming school year.

Berkeley Medical Center's Nurse Work Life Council named Angela Gray, a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and float pool, as the recipient of the DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses for the first quarter of 2013. The award was presented to Gray during a recent ceremony at the medical center. She received a certificate, along with a sculpture called “A Healer's Touch,” which was carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. The DAISY, or Diseases Attacking the Immune System, award was established nationally to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses at University Healthcare's Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center are being honored throughout the year with the award, which is being sponsored by the two University Healthcare foundations.

University Healthcare's Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., named the 2013 Outstanding Nursing Technician of the Year award winners during a June 14 reception at the medical center. Nominated by their peers, a total of 39 nursing technicians were recognized, and three award winners were named. The winners were Jo Ann Budzyn (orthopedics) Cindy Miller (medical/surgical) and Annie Wilt (obstetrics).